Which shutter system for my Sinar 4x5

[dergiman]

Hi,

i have a Sinar 4x5 camera coming my way. i have a Sinar eMotion 54LV that i plan to use on it. focussing will be done via Live View.  I only have experience with the copal shutters, but there seem to be other shutter systems available. does the DB-shutter work with  a digital back? how is the workflow with the DB-shutter?  cost is a big factor, so the CMV shutters are out.

felipe

[PdF]

Hi,

i have a Sinar 4x5 camera coming my way. i have a Sinar eMotion 54LV that i plan to use on it. focussing will be done via Live View.  I only have experience with the copal shutters, but there seem to be other shutter systems available. does the DB-shutter work with  a digital back? how is the workflow with the DB-shutter?  cost is a big factor, so the CMV shutters are out.

felipe

You can use a Sinarcam 2 http://cgi.ebay.fr/Sinar-Digital-Camera_W0...=item35a62ae7bd, also with classical DB lenses. The best results are possible with digital DB lenses, of course. Everything is inexpensive and available with patience... A Sinarcam2 allows the large live-video on the screen of a Mac.

PdF

[ThierryH]

Hi,

i have a Sinar 4x5 camera coming my way. i have a Sinar eMotion 54LV that i plan to use on it. focussing will be done via Live View.  I only have experience with the copal shutters, but there seem to be other shutter systems available. does the DB-shutter work with  a digital back? how is the workflow with the DB-shutter?  cost is a big factor, so the CMV shutters are out.

felipe

Dear Felipe,

what 4x5" Sinar do you have exactly, which type? This has a big influence on how you can use it with a DB.

Best regards,
Thierry

[dergiman]

it will be a Sinar P1.

[ThierryH]

it will be a Sinar P1.

Hoops Felipe, that will not be that easy and convenient.

The Sinar p (the silver one) can be quite a pain to use with digital, if not completely and precisely adjusted and in perfect working state.
Beside that you would need to use your eMotion back with a "SB eMotion/Sinar 4x5" Adapter Kit". The adaption on 4x5" cameras is then possible by means of a Sliding Adapter and the HB-V Adapterkit 552.36.070 and can be used with either the Sinar Auto Aperture Shutter with DB lenses (digital or not) or with Copal BTL Shutter lenses

- Communication with camera in Master-Mode over external cable
- Adapter Plate can be turned

Remark: a specific adapter plate for 4x5" cameras was never planned and done

And: CMV lenses can only be used on a Sinar p3

[dergiman]

i guess the p1 will be fine for me, we used this one at school with Phase backs and it wasn´t that bad. i will only use it occasionally.

ad auto aperture shutter: i read that the shutter closes automatically when the film cassette is inserted. how is this with a digital back?

[ThierryH]

i guess the p1 will be fine for me, we used this one at school with Phase backs and it wasn´t that bad. i will only use it occasionally.

Fine if you are used to it. Make sure that the movements/knobs of the one you will get are not that rough or loose, nor have any play, it will make your life easier.

ad auto aperutre shutter: i read that the shutter closes automaticalle when the film cassette is inserted. how is this with a digital back?

You have to close the shutter manually (red lever on the left side of the shutter, when behind the camera), then release with the cable-release. The closing when inserting a 4x5" film holder is done with a mechanical connection between the film frame and the shutter in the front: it does not exist (physically) anymore when a back is mounted and the film frame away. But this is not a big deal and no way to forget to close the shutter: you won't be able to release the shutter until it is closed, only stopping down.

Best regards,
Thierry

[pchong]

tapping on your knowledge Thierry, which sinar would you consider good for digital? F2 sufficient? p2? X? i guess the f3 and p3 being designed for digital meets the mark? thanks

Fine if you are used to it. Make sure that the movements/knobs of the one you will get are not that rough or loose, nor have any play, it will make your life easier.


You have to close the shutter manually (red lever on the left side of the shutter, when behind the camera), then release with the cable-release. The closing when inserting a 4x5" film holder is done with a mechanical connection between the film frame and the shutter in the front: it does not exist (physically) anymore when a back is mounted and the film frame away. But this is not a big deal and no way to forget to close the shutter: you won't be able to release the shutter until it is closed, only stopping down.

Best regards,
Thierry

[bdp]

In my opinion a P3 would be the best, but I have modified the focus knob on my P2 to make the focussing a little easier. Basically I replaced the knob with a piece of solid round aluminium to make the knob much larger, then tapped 4 threaded holes and screwed in bolts so that the knob effectively has 'spokes' coming out of it so that I can make fine movements much more easily. It looks a little 'ghetto' - certainly not up to the Sinar standard, but it works.

[ThierryH]

tapping on your knowledge Thierry, which sinar would you consider good for digital? F2 sufficient? p2? X? i guess the f3 and p3 being designed for digital meets the mark? thanks

The f2 isn't really to be used with a digital back: there isn't any adapter for it, and the 4x5" film frame can't be taken away to mount a sliding adapter. Even by getting an old 4x5" adapter the sensor won't be in the film plane, respectively in the tilt/swing axis to allow for precise movements.

The right camera would either be the f3 or then the p3, depending the type of work. The f3 is a lighter, designed for digital, more portable for location and based on the f2 mechanicals, while the p3 is typically the digital version of the p2 for studio/still life work.

Best regards,
Thierry

[DavorHorvatic]

In my opinion a P3 would be the best, but I have modified the focus knob on my P2 to make the focussing a little easier. Basically I replaced the knob with a piece of solid round aluminium to make the knob much larger, then tapped 4 threaded holes and screwed in bolts so that the knob effectively has 'spokes' coming out of it so that I can make fine movements much more easily. It looks a little 'ghetto' - certainly not up to the Sinar standard, but it works.

I would very much appreciate if you can post a picture - this is a real good approach to improve the movements on the Sinar p2/p3 camera!

[bdp]

I'll try to remember when I get back to my studio next Wednesday.

Ben

[dergiman]

thanks for everyone´s help, i think i will go with a copal shutter. the 1/400th shutter speed is good for stopping motion.

[jimgolden]

i use a P2, copal shutter, just about daily and it's fine. would I like a P3 w/ SES? yes, but...

[dergiman]

i use a P2, copal shutter, just about daily and it's fine. would I like a P3 w/ SES? yes, but...

good to hear!

[bdp]

Hi Davor, Here is the picture of my modified P2 focus knob:

[attachment=19440:Sinar_P2_knob.jpg]

Ben

[LiamStrain]

Ben, that is brilliant.

[DavorHorvatic]

Hi Davor, Here is the picture of my modified P2 focus knob:

[attachment=19440:Sinar_P2_knob.jpg]

Ben

Thank you Ben, great modification - not so nice to see (black would be better) but, who cares when it works!